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| On our way! To Mordor! |
This is a run that I have actively avoided for as long as I have known Shaun and Ram. It seems as if every time they invite me to do it I already have plans and can not make it. I finally succumbed to the pressure on June 12th of this year for Ram's last training run before Western States. The route starts out at the base of mission peak, it climbs up to the top of mission peak and then down the back side. It traverses over a lot of open space climbs in the southeast Bay and arrives at Rose Peak after doing a majority of the days climbing in the first half of the run. Then you turn around and retrace the route back to mission peak and then back to the car. The total distance is about 37 miles and the total climbing is around 9,500 feet. It's a nice run as the trails are not really technical and it has some really cool sweeping views. The downside is that it gets pretty hot out in that area especially in the summer and there are minimal water stops. Two spots to get water are just pumps in the ground that have "drink water at your own risk" signs so it was that or die of dehydration. I will take my chances with the H2O!
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| View from Rose Peak |
We met at the usual parking area for runs at Mission Peak on the street in front of the college. We made pretty good time up the first climb to the top of mission peak. Then we dropped down the long decent to Sunol. Then we had some slight uphill running followed by a bunch of climbs with some rolling stuff mixed in at times. It got hot out fairly quickly which can happen in the south bay in June. However, we lucked out that temps were only going to be in the 80s as it can get into the 100s around those parts. Although the sun is straight savage so it definitely takes a toll being out there for a long period of time. Wed had fun joking around and hanging out on our way to rose peak as we were still in the feeling fresh stages. There were a few gangs of cows that we had to fight our way through. They were looking for a brawl and they had a definite size advantage so we just ran away from those confrontations. We finally reached the half way point of our big journey, Rose Peak. We had not seen anyone else out there until now as there was a group hanging out at the top. One of them had a Michigan shirt on so I had to throw out a "Go Bucks!"
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| Taking a break at Rose Peak |
On our way back the sun was out in full force and it really started taking quite a toll on me. Heat is my kryptonite when it comes to ultra running. I was drinking plenty of water and taking electrolyte pills but my whole body was starting to rebel. We got to the Sunol visitor center which meant from there we had a long 5 mile climb back up to mission peak and then three more miles back down to the car. I was out of water but luckily they had set a huge jug of water out here for people. I filled up my bladder but quickly realized this water was hot! It had been baking in the sun for awhile and I'm pretty sure I could of made some tea or coffee with it. On the long climb my legs just quit working all together. I could hardly move and had to take little rest breaks. I'm glad Shaun had stayed back with me as he asked if I had been consuming calories. That was a great question to ask because it's then I realized I had not eaten a gel in quite some time. I ate a gel or two and a snack which I chased with some hot water, yum! About 20 minutes later I had new life. It was totally a lack of calories that burned me out. I just didn't feel like eating when the sun was blazing like that.
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| Sure are some nice views on this route! |
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| Sun just doing it's thing! |
We finally got to the top of mission peak where Ram had been waiting for us for awhile. I felt bad that I held the party up but these things can happen in our sport. We were all in pretty good spirits though..just glad we only had a three mile downhill left and we were finished! We made it to the cars and I was so incredibly thirsty. I had parked right by a deli and I went in and ordered a Gatorade, a coke, and a water. I chugged all three fairly quickly and it was a huge relief. Well, that the story of my first MPRPMP run. I am pretty sure I would like to do this one again. Maybe in the cooler winter months so it is a little more enjoyable!
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